First in at Saint-L

The Virginia major's gallantry was almost a legend to men of the 29th Infantry Division. On D-day he had whisked across the beach ahead of his men, alone had silenced a machine gun. At La Madeleine he and his men had fought their way to a surrounded battalion, then had found themselves surrounded. Together the two battalions stood off the Germans for 36 bitter hours, finally broke out toward Saint-Lo.

The Virginian set off with an advance patrol. He called back: "You'll see me in Saint-Lo." Through all the fighting he had said his outfit would be the first in the town.

On the outskirts of town, his patrol was pinned down by gun fire. The major was killed. But his patrol had accomplished their mission. Word went back to the division commander that the Germans were retiring. He sent up a volunteer force to enter Saint-Lo. Its men came up to the major's patrol and heard the story.

The major's body was wrapped in a flag. As he had promised, his outfit was the first to enter Saint-Lo, and he was at their head.

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